June 1st starts the Nitrogen restrictive season. No nitrogen applications allowed until September 30th please see the Manatee County Fertilizer Ordinance for more information.

Fertilizer Analysis – Nitrogen is listed first, then Phosphorus, and last Potassium

Applications of fertilizer that has an analysis (N-P-K) on the bag must be 0-0-#, this means fertilizer can only contain potassium (K) and other minor nutrients. Phosphorus (P) is restricted year round and nitrogen (N) is restricted in the summer rainy season.

Other Fertilizer Ordinance requirements in all seasons:

Grass clippings must be swept or blown back onto turfgrass. Do not leave grass clippings on hard surfaces. This helps reduce nutrients that are in grass clippings from entering bodies of water and encouraging algal blooms.

No phosphorus applications unless soil testing shows a deficiency and is placed on file with the Manatee County Administrators office.

Any fertilizer applied/spilled/deposited on impervious surfaces must be immediately removed.

This is voluntary for all of Manatee County. Manatee County recommends a 6-foot low-maintenance zone from any pond, stream, watercourse, lake or canal or any designated wetland.

Deflector shield to keep fertilizer applications off of hard surfaces and out of bodies of water

Broadcast spreaders must be equipped with deflector shields. Deflector shields must be positioned so that fertilizer granules are deflected away from all impervious surfaces, fertilizer-free zones, water bodies, and wetlands. The ordinance requires a deflector shield within 3 feet of any water body or wetland.

Should you have any questions visit our website or contact Michelle Atkinson, Environmental Horticulture Agent, at michelleatkinson@ufl.edu or 941-722-4524 x1818.

Author Profile

Michelle Atkinson is an Environmental Horticulture Agent with the University of Florida IFAS Extension in Manatee County. She works with landscape professionals and homeowner associations teaching sustainable landscape practices to help protect water quality and conserve the vital resource.